We understand, through experience.
Natalee Ward
Director
Natalee Ward is an experienced strategic communications and media advisor specialising in agriculture, working closely with local and global organisations to help them to mitigate risks, manage reputation, and share their brand stories.
Her experience spans all sectors across Australian agriculture, from pork production, aquaculture and almonds, to export markets, foreign investment, water entitlements and forestry.
Natalee has supported organisations including Yumbah Aquaculture, Pact Group, LandMarkWhite, OneFortyOne Plantations, VicForest, Elders, Australian Pork Ltd, MLA, Hort Innovation, Seafood Industry Australia, Wine Australia, Dairy Australia, Agribusiness Australia and Wheen Bee Foundation as well as State and Commonwealth governments.
She has also provided support for the Victorian Government in Emergency Recovery, leading communications between government, the agriculture industry and rural and regional communities recovering from bushfire, floods, storms, drought and the coronavirus pandemic, also providing support in preparation to manage an Emergency Animal Disease outbreak.
In her earlier years, Natalee spent more than two decades as an award-winning journalist, starting in rural newspapers in Echuca and Shepparton and later at The Weekly Times. She’s held positions including magazines editor, business operations manager and deputy editor, and was the first woman to be appointed editor of the media outlet in its 150 years.
She was born and raised on a farm, has an MBA from the Melbourne Business School, is married to journalist and bike tour magnate Murray, has two sons and runs marathons for fun.
Tess Astle
Communications Consultant, project lead
Tess Astle is a strategic communications consultant specialising in agriculture, public health and human rights issues, not-for-profits and government relations. Her skills include stakeholder engagement, client management, program management and delivery.
Tess works closely with organisations to understand their communications requirements and has a keen eye for details and deadlines. She has experience as a communications and media advisor with the Victorian Government specialising in agriculture, and has a deep understanding of the issues facing the industry and the broader community.
Tess's ability to understand the workings of an organisation quickly, and meet their needs in a professional and intuitive manner make her a favoured consultant among our clients.
Tess has a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Journalism and Human Rights and has completed an Honours thesis.
Ben Noonan
Communications Consultant, social media and issues response
Ben Noonan is a highly engaged communications consultant specialising in social media strategy, delivery and monitoring. He is an invaluable member of the team for his inquisitive mind, attention to detail, vast knowledge of social media platforms, clear thinking and ability to work quickly and effectively under pressure.
Ben currently manages the social media platforms and strategy for a range of clients in agriculture, rolling out proactive consumer-facing communications to improve brand awareness and engagement.
He also has experience supporting businesses managing crisis situations, providing round-the-clock media support to manage issues and mitigate risks.
Ben’s expertise in social media began in his school years when he led the F1 in Schools team, Hydron, to a World Championship. In this role, he managed sponsorship acquisition and partnerships with major brands including Ford, Bosch and Logitech.
Ben is studying law and commerce at Australian National University.
Isabel Milincic
Communications Consultant
Isabel Milincic is a dedicated communications consultant, providing strategic communications, social media content creation and media relations for Balliang Consulting clients, with a focus on non-profit organisations.
Known for her creativity, quick thinking and meticulous attention to detail, Isabel excels in delivering in-house style communications support that increases awareness of the organisations she supports, and is equally comfortable drafting big picture strategy as she is behind the camera interviewing people for social media content.
Isabel’s expertise includes creating compelling stories across a range of communications channels, and delivering effective marketing campaigns and communication strategies. She has an innate ability to look over the here-and-now to see the impact of current communications activities, providing invaluable risk management and mitigation support for all projects.
She gained invaluable experience as a communications consultant in the education sector, and holds a Bachelor of Communication (Public Relations) from Deakin University.
Willson Mack
Communications Consultant
Willson Mack is an engaging communications consultant specialising in corporate communications and risk management for the agriculture sector.
Willson’s mix of regional upbringing in Albury and his experience as a rural journalist contribute to his understanding of what it means to communicate effectively on behalf of and with rural and regional Australians.
As a sports journalist for North East Media, Willson spent five years honing his skills, conducting interviews, researching and writing stories for publication across print, digital and social media.
As a media and communications consultant, Willson has supported clients in horticulture, horse racing, water management, egg production and pork, bringing his innate ability to listen to people and understand their organisation’s communications needs, regardless of the environment or the issues.
Willson is a keen golfer and footballer, and has a Bachelor of Communications (Public Relations and Journalism) from Deakin University.
